£10m for towns to invest in Scotland’s heritage

AN EXTRA £10 million is being made available to towns for ­investment in their historic ­environment.

The Scottish Government funding will be handed out to 12 council areas, including Elgin in Moray, Kilbirnie, in North Ayrshire, Cupar, in Fife and Selkirk, in the Borders.

The money, distributed through Historic Scotland’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (Cars) encourages local authorities to invest in historic sites, as well as helping economic growth.

Culture Secretary Fiona ­Hyslop made the announcement as she visited Dalkeith, in Midlothian, which was previously allocated £402,638 from the funding.

She was shown how the money was used to repair several buildings, including the Tolbooth and Cross Keys Hotel, a former coaching inn.

“It has been a great privilege to see first-hand how this investment programme is continuing to benefit communities such as Dalkeith across Scotland,” Ms Hyslop said.

“Our historic environment plays a key role in communities and this funding provides an ­opportunity to invest back into the historic fabric and back into the heart of communities.”

Other areas in the scheme are Kirkwall, in Orkney; Parkhead Cross, in Glasgow; Banff, in Aberdeenshire; Falkirk; Kirriemuir in Angus; Galston, in East Ayrshire; and Inverary, in Argyll and Bute.

Gorebridge, in Midlothian will also get £548,500 for essential repairs and improvements.

Bob Constable, leader of Midlothian Council, said: “We are obviously delighted to have been awarded this new funding.

“The regeneration work ­undertaken in Dalkeith has had a huge impact.”